ReThink Forum
From Mission to Policy to Action: Aligning Hong Kong’s First Five-Year Plan with National Goals
11 Sep (Fri) Day 2 : 11:20 – 12:00
With the national 15th Five-Year Plan setting direction on energy transition, carbon reduction, and industrial transformation, and Hong Kong preparing its first Five-Year Plan, the key question is how ambition translates into delivery. This session explores how Hong Kong can align with national priorities while leveraging its strengths as an international financial, trade, maritime and aviation hub and to mobilise capital, support transition investments, and accelerate implementation across the Greater Bay Area and beyond.
Session Learnings:
How national priorities can inform Hong Kong’s emerging Five-Year Plan in practical, actionable ways
Post-Event Actions:
- Where Hong Kong can play a distinctive role in supporting national transition goals
- How public and private sectors can better align to enable implementation
- Identify the conditions needed to mobilise capital at scale
Speakers
Moderator
Christine Loh
Chief Development Strategist, Institute for the Environment
Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Christine Loh
Division of Environment and Sustainability, HKUST
Chief Development Strategist, Institute for the Environment
Professor Christine Loh is Chief Development Strategist at the Institute for the Environment, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. She is a leading voice on public policy, climate governance and sustainable development in Hong Kong, with experience spanning government, the legislature, think tanks, business and academia. Loh was Under Secretary for the Environment in the HKSAR Government from 2012 to 2017, where she worked on air quality, climate change, energy, nature conservation and stakeholder engagement. She also served as Special Consultant to the Chief Executive’s Office on ecological civilization and the Greater Bay Area from 2019 to 2020. Earlier in her career, she was a Member of the Hong Kong Legislative Council. At HKUST, Professor Loh focuses on climate policy, sustainability transitions, green finance, governance and regional cooperation. She is also a published author and frequent commentator on environmental policy, climate risk, China and Hong Kong affairs. She currently serves on the board of Towngas Smart Energy, and is Scholar in Residence at Asia Society Hong Kong from 2023 to 2026.
Prof. Zhi Lu
Professor
Peking University / ShanShui Conservation Center
Prof. Zhi Lu
Peking University / ShanShui Conservation Center
Professor
Dr. Lu Zhi is a Boya Distinguished Professor at Peking University. She founded Peking University’s Center for Nature and Society, and Shan Shui Conservation Center. She also serves as the co-chair of the second global assessment by the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES).
Dr. Lu’s research tackles critical sustainability issues in China, with a focus on finding practical solutions that promote coexistence between humans and nature. Her work encompasses the study of ecosystem services (forests and grasslands), the natural history and conservation of endangered species like giant pandas and snow leopards, and the development of community-led conservation strategies. She is particularly known for her innovative approach, which tests and implements conservation tools grounded in economic incentives, cultural values, and policy improvements, ensuring that local communities benefit from their conservation efforts. This work extends to both rural and urban settings.
Dr. Lu Zhi earned her undergraduate degree and Ph.D. from Peking University. She has been a visiting scholar at the National Institutes of Health , Harvard University and the Yale School of Forest and Environmental Studies (2001-2002).
Prof. Kejun Jiang
Professor
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou)
Prof. Kejun Jiang
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou)
Professor
Professor, Head, Carbon Neutrality and Climate Change Thrust, Society Hub, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou).
Kejun Jiang’s research focus is energy, climate change mitigation and air pollution prevention policy assessment by using IPAC modeling, to support national five-year plans, and long-term planning. He began his research in ERI from 1990 and led the development of Integrated Policy Assessment Model for China (IPAC). IPAC modeling team is now a leading research team on China’s 2050 energy transition studies by providing benchmark research results. Major research focus includes energy and emission scenarios, energy policy, energy system, energy market analysis, and climate change, local environment policies and international negotiation. He also was authors of IPCC for Special Report on Emission Scenario from 1997, and Working Group III Third Assessment Report, leader author for IPCC WGIII AR4 Chapter 3, and leader author for GEO-4 Chapter 2, CLA in WGIII of IPCC AR5, LA for IPCC AR5 Synthesis Report, CLA of IPCC Special Report on 1.5℃ Warning, Lead Author of IPCC AR6WGIII Chapter 3 and SPM, Vice Co-Chair of GEO6, lead author of GEO7. From 2010, he is author for UNEP Emission Gaps. Now he is lead author of IPCC AR6 WGIII. He also joined international research collaboration projects such as EMF, FP6, FP7 and H2020 research projects. He is member of Scientific Panel of UNEP CCAC, and Scientific Committee of IAMC. He got his PHD in Social Engineering Department of Tokyo Institute of Technology.
My Sustainability Goals for 2026:
- Move more towards CO2 emission reduction
- More electric vehicle fleet
- More renewable energy utilization